Spin-bowling all-rounder Washington Sundar, who is part of India’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad, remains sidelined from the ongoing five-match T20I series against New Zealand due to injury but has taken a positive step in his recovery.
Sundar sustained a rib injury while bowling in the first ODI against New Zealand in Vadodara on January 11. According to a report in the Times of India on Wednesday (January 28), the 26-year-old has resumed batting practice at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) as part of his rehabilitation programme.
The report added that Sundar batted for around 30 minutes in the nets, although tenderness around the rib area still persists. The left-hander has featured in 58 T20Is for India, picking up 51 wickets, underlining his value as a bowling all-rounder.
Despite the encouraging progress, Sundar is unlikely to be fit for India’s T20 World Cup opener against the United States in Mumbai on February 7. However, the Indian team management is understood to be keen on waiting for his recovery rather than naming an immediate replacement.
India captain Suryakumar Yadav and head coach Gautam Gambhir are reportedly eager to retain an off-spin option in the squad, particularly for match-ups against left-handed batters during the World Cup. This strategic consideration was one of the key reasons behind Ravi Bishnoi’s inclusion as Sundar’s replacement for the ongoing T20I series against New Zealand. Bishnoi last represented India in February 2025.
“There are still over 15 days for India’s match against Pakistan in the World Cup. Sundar is very much in the mix and part of the plans as of now. A call will only be taken when there is no possibility of return,” a source tracking developments told TOI.
“He was picked specifically for match-ups against left-handers, which is why Ravi Bishnoi has been tried. There aren’t many options available in terms of off-spinners and bowling all-rounders at the moment.”
India’s squad for T20 World Cup 2026:
Suryakumar Yadav (Captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel (Vice-Captain), Rinku Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, Washington Sundar, Ishan Kishan (WK)
